Glasgow 2014: We enjoy beating the Auld Enemy, insists Sir Chris Hoy

Sir Chris Hoy at the Glasgow velodrome that bears his name (Image: Getty Images)

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SCOTS cycling hero Sir Chris Hoy is relishing the rivalry with the English as the nations gear up for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist, who retired last year, spent much of his glittering career training and competing with English riders as teammates for Great Britain.

But having won Commonwealth golds at Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006, he says there’s something special about crossing the finishing line first in the dark blue of Scotland.

Sir Chris, 37, said: “The Commonwealth Games are unique for British athletes because it’s the one chance to compete for your home nation.

“For me, particularly Manchester in 2002 and also Melbourne four years later, we trained as a Great Britain team up until maybe only three or four weeks before the event then went our separate ways.

“It was funny because your teammates for three-and-a-half years are all of a sudden your rivals.

“I remember the team sprint in Melbourne when it was Scotland and England in the final and to line up against your usual teammates knowing what was at stake – the pride, the bragging rights and, obviously, the medals.

“So to beat the English team was fantastic.”

The 2014 ambassador was speaking as he returned to the track at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in Glasgow.

He was testing a new range of bikes he has helped to develop and was also passing on some tips to a group of amateur riders.

Although Sir Chris will not be racing this summer, he is looking forward to watching the action.

And he says star athletes competing at Glasgow 2014 will make it truly memorable.

He added: “I think it’s crucial to the success of the Games when the big names turn up and support them.

“And apart from anything else, it’s still an amazing feeling to win a Commonwealth Games medal for your home nation.

“For athletes like Usain Bolt and Mark Cavendish, it’s still a big deal for them to be Commonwealth champion.